April 17, 2012
-
Friday the 13th
Its funny that I did not realize that that was the actual scenario until Tuesday the 17th.
This past Friday was spent in a familiar, but semi-distant place, Kasawo. We were at an elementary school called Edusabu Junior School. You may remember this place as where I spent my birthday last year making bricks. We were at the school for two reasons: to deliver bibles and to raise money for construction. Let me explain...
Earlier this year, Worldwide Christian Schools USA ran a promotion for fundraising a few thousand miles from where we are residing. They organized with another stateside school to raise money for bibles. As I understand it, don't quote me on this, but I believe that the children of a specific school raised money to give children at a school in Uganda bibles. After the successful endeavor on their part, the WWCS Uganda team had some work to do. I was tasked with the purchase of the bibles. After doing some research and bargain shopping, we were able to purchase 199 bibles to give to the school. The team here, WWCS Uganda, was tasked with the delivery.
A separate turn of events lead to the idea of the fundraiser. Earlier in the year, Liz and I were approached about receiving a gift for our ministry. It was a little open ended, but we thought it best that the money be used in a way that would stimulate construction. So we suggested it go to a school for construction. At some point, we had the idea that we could use the gift as a way to motivate athe community to increase the gift to be much more. So we contacted the school in Kasawo to see if they would organize a fundraiser. This would be a two fold opportunity... to raise money for the school's construction and to hand out much deserved bibles.
Now let me include a little info about who these children are and what this school is all about. Like I said, it is Edusabu Junior School. To all of you reading this blog you probably have no idea who they are. But let me tell you, they are some pretty special people here in the Buganda Kingdom in Uganda! This is a private school with Christian values that was established roughly 5 years ago. Currently, the school is held in three "temporary" classrooms and a papyrus thatched church. It is the academic home for 393 students this year! It is a little less than last year, where they had 428 students. But the impressive part of the school is their drive for success. Last year, after receiving the results of the Primary Level Examinations, this school was rated number 1 among all of the schools in TWO sub counties. Now I am not sure how many schools that puts them up against, but it is not just a handful. I would estimate that to be in the neighborhood of 40-50 schools! That is extremely impressive considering the description of where the kids currently study! The poor facility where these kids study requires that when it rains, they end their studies so that they can congregate in the middle of the church where water will not likely penetrate, keeping them dry.
Now you have an understanding of why we are so impressed with this school, these kids, and the academics there. I firmly believe that with the appropriate tools, such as an actual classroom setting, this school could do so much more!
So this past Friday, we handed out 199 bibles to Edusabu Junior School! That was a remarkable opportunity. It was a beautiful reward for a job well done for these kids! Among that celebration, we emphasized just what I have said above... if they can do, what they have done, with what they have, they can do so much more with adequate facilities. So we held a fundraiser... the children made some crafts, and the community donated things that they had available (ex. chickens, crafts, and assorted foods). From there a Ugandan auction ensued. Doing so raised a pretty good chunk... 500,000 shillings! For the sake of success, I am not going to convert that to dollars. Just understand that that is a HUGE success for a fundraiser here in Uganda. On top of that, 25 bags of cement were also pledged by the community. That is enough cement to construct two classrooms worth of brick walls! Praise God for a successful evening!
Now the task is simple... the school is going to continue making bricks. When they give me the nod that they have enough, we will mobilize for construction. All together, I estimate that we have enough funds raised to build at least 5 classrooms. At this point, I am praying for a means to come along that will get them roofing materials. I would love to go there and not only build walls, but also stop the rain from entering the rooms. So pray alongside us so that this can happen!
This school is the model of the team here at WWCS Uganda:
Faith in Christ + Community involvement + Drive for academics = School Construction
Join us in congratulating Edusabu Junior School for this past year's performance. Join me in thanking the community for showing up and contributing so much to the cause. Also join me in thanking everyone else who has had a role in this event's success.
Chad Neeley
Volunteer Construction Coordinator - WWCS USA/Uganda
Comments (1)
Great story Chad... thanks for handing out the Bibles. You are making us at Worldwide Christian Schools grateful for your work in Uganda. Well done!